Surrey’s mayor says she’s appalled that the city has become home to two dangerous convicted sex offenders in as many weeks.
The Surrey RCMP sent out warnings about two dangerous offenders being released into the community within the last month.
Michael Popek, 44, was convicted of sexually assaulting four women between 2015 and 2016 and police say he poses a danger to girls and women, including strangers.
Leonard Ramstead, 56, was convicted of sexually assaulting two girls under 16. According to police, he “poses a risk to young children and adolescent girls.”
Mayor Brenda Locke says releasing the pair into Surrey shows a blatant disregard for Surrey residents.
“It is beyond comprehension why multiple high-risk offenders are being unleashed into our City, which has the largest youth population in B.C.,” Locke said in a statement Tuesday.
“This is utterly unacceptable.”
Locke is urging Corrections Canada to release individuals into all jurisdictions proportionately.
“This burden must be borne by all communities,” she explained.
“I further call for rigorous monitoring following the release of any such individuals into this community so that it does not further task our police service and create risk for our residents. The protection of our community must be prioritized above all else.”